Managing an inventory of devices

A method for locating a plurality of devices, comprising

• providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein,
• electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening,
• providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds,
• providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag,
• resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link,
• detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and
• determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.

Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising

• network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location of said plurality of locations,
• a tag associated with each one of said devices in said inventory that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds,
• means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link,
• means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and
• means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.

Apparatus for locating a plurality of devices, comprising

• network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein,
• means for electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening,
• a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds,
• means for providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag,
• means for resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link,
• means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and
• means for determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.

Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising

• means for detecting connections of a plurality of tags to one or more communication links of a network, each one of said tags being associated with one of said devices in said inventory and identifying said one device with respect to other said devices in said inventory,
• means for associating each one of said communication links with a location of said plurality of locations, and
• means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and
• means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.

A method for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising

• providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions,
• providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds,
• detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and
• determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag of each one of said devices is connected.

Apparatus for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising

• a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions,
• a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds,
• means for detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and
• determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag associated with each one of said devices is connected.